John D. Liu

Today I would like to introduce John D. Liu to you. He is an intelligent, humble and well-presented man. He has researched and documented so much work on the topics of degraded landscapes and climate change. Especially on the work of restored ecosystems around the world. His work has influenced many and is the main cause of the establishment of the Ecosystem Restoration Camps movement. Of which the first project is already up and running in southern Spain.

For the next few weeks, the World Permaculture Association (WPA) will be proudly publishing blog posts from selected articles written by John D. Liu and share more on the work he is doing.

ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION INFLUENCE

If it was not for the work he had done in China, documenting the restoration of the Loess Plateau. I do not know if I would be where I am today.

I came across the documentary “Lessons of the Loess Plateau” while doing research for an essay I had to write for my studies. After watching, I was amazed by the effort done and had hope in my heart. I realised that it is possible to reverse the destruction caused by man on the natural environment.

Through following his work and efforts I came across the World Permaculture Association (WPA). This is where I attended a couple of Permaculture courses. On each course, Giuseppe Tallarico had taken the liberty to organise a video conference interview with John. We were given the privilege to listen to John´s story and question him on all topics possible.

The inspiration I have gained from John, has developed me from being a student to becoming a colleague within the WPA. Moving steps forward to creating a greener, sustainable tomorrow for every species on the planet. Alongside promoting that we are able to reverse the damage we have caused on the planet.

The Great Work of His Time

John is actively busy in spreading the word of the Ecosystem Restoration Camps, which is attracting new members every day. However, there is so much more of his work we can reflect on. After 15 years as a Television Producer and Cameraman for CBS News, RAI and ZDF, he began to study ecology in the mid-1990s. He founded the Environmental Education Media Project (EEMP). He helped to create the China Environment and Sustainable Development Reference and Research Centre (CESDRRC), and he helped create the China HIV/AIDS Information Centre (CHAIN).

Over the years he has produced, directed, written and presented numerous films. Currently, he is the Ecosystem Ambassador for the Commonland Foundation and Visiting Research Fellow at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology of the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences (NIOO/KNAW) [Academia 2018].

ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION FILMS

The most influential films he has made are Lessons of the Loess Plateau, Green Gold, Hope in a Changing Climate, Forests keep Drylands Working, Emerging in a Changing Climate and many more. These films, and many articles are all available on John´s Academia page or can be found on Youtube. I can highly recommend that everyone watch the work he has documented as it will open your eyes to the amazing potential we, as a species, can collectively act on.

Green Gold

“Green Gold” is also where you will see the initiatives taken in Jordan. Restoring the degraded landscapes with a Permacultural approach, thanks to the amazing work done by Geoff Lawton. Giuseppe Tallarico is also providing consultations for projects in association with the Government of Jordan

The Ecosystem Restoration Camps

The Ecosystem Restoration Camps is a project that was instigated by the thoughts of John D. Liu. The concept of Ecosystem Restoration Camps emerged during a Permaculture Design Course organised in May 2016 by the WPA where Giuseppe Tallarico invited John as a speaker.

I can clearly remember waking up one morning, about two years ago, and having the first post on my Facebook page being from John asking people if they would be willing to join in collective action of restoring ecosystems.

Get Involved

Today it has grown into a large movement of people who are giving their support, be it financially or physically on the ground. It is a grassroots movement of everyday people, assisting in their knowledge, tools, and experience in restoring degraded landscapes. I am too a member and proudly donate to their cause, and hopefully soon will help in applying my knowledge gained.

To become a member of the Ecosystem Restoration Camps click here. Follow what they are doing on the ground on Facebook.